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October 18, 2005 - New work this year includes Charles Moulton's 48 person precision ball passing which opened an electric final performance of the "Fall for Dance" festival at City Center in New York. Aeron Kopriva of the New York Sun said, "In a live performance, Matthew Pierce kept score with reiterative pizzicato on his violin, quickening in tempo or else slurring a melody that suggested at times the bluegrass vistas of Middle America." I've formed a new performing ensemble. The Matthew Pierce Ensemble made its debut performance on the campus of Houghton College at this years inaugural Vivace String Camp, directed by Steve and Martha Thomas. In May I returned to performing solo violin with orchestra with the debut of the "Big Love Duet," commissioned and premiered by the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. Here are the program notes: "Big Love Duet" is a romance for violin and orchestra which was commissioned by John McNeur this past November. The idea started as a Pas de Deux (dance for two performers) for Stanton Welch's ballet, "Pecos Bill," which premiered at the Houston Ballet in March 2004. Pecos Bill, a Texas cowboy raised by coyotes, and Slewfoot Sue, fall in love and dance a "big love duet" before she is thrown into the stars by Pecos' horse, Widowmaker. The Texas-sized love duet was cut from the ballet due to time constraints and so it brings me great pleasure to realize this piece in a new context. Originally conceived as a duet for two mandolins and orchestra, the new setting as a violin romance perfectly suits John's wish for a solo violin performance. Now the work is a "big love duet" between violin solo and orchestra chock full of the melismatic filigree many a concertmaster has balked at. It is an unabashed declaration of big love which reflects the intensity of first love only a teenager can feel. Uniquely developed for the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, the work opens with a quiet exchange of sweet nothings. Listen for the progression softly stated by the harp, celesta and glockenspiel after the opening theme. This progression invites the second theme from the solo violin which builds to a breathless announcement of love. Contrasting instrumental chorales share a final loving embrace. Back to February 17, 2007 Archives: |
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